Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World
As a hunter, camper, or survivalist, the basic knowledge of snakes is pretty important if you don’t want to find yourself bitten by one, most especially by a venomous snake. If you plan on going to a place where it is known to house venomous snakes or snakes of any kind, it’s best if you read up on your Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World just in case.
A snake is considered venomous if it is capable of producing venom, a substance that causes adverse effects on the bitten human, such as paralysis or even death. Even without the venom, snakes are still dangerous since they can suffocate and bite a man. In this case, we’ll be talking about the most venomous snakes in the world so you can recognize them if you see one.
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Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes
Here are the most dangerous and most venomous snakes in the world, ranked in no particular order. These species of snakes can be found all around the globe and have different danger levels.
1. Black Mamba
A black mamba in the desert - Photo credit: https://img.purch.com
The Black Mamba is known to be the second longest in the venomous snake category and the fastest moving land snake. This type of snake is very dangerous and widely feared since it is territorial and aggressive when cornered or agitated. While attacking, the Black Mamba can inject venom four to five times with each quick strike, thus paralyzing and killing its target effectively.
A Black Mamba can deliver up to 400g of venom with a single bite, but it would only need around 10 to 15g of venom to kill a human adult. Thus, it is one of the extremely venomous snake species which you need to steer clear from at all times. If you ever see one, it’s best if you cautiously vacate the area immediately.
2. Taipan
A coastal taipan blending in with its surroundings - Photo credit: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu
The Coastal Taipan is a venomous snake species that resides in Australia. It is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world since they are always wary and ready to attack. When cornered or triggered, the Coastal Taipan will raise up in a threatening striking stance and deliver multiple bites to its enemy.
With its 12mm fangs, the longest of any Australian elapid, it can deliver up to 400mg of venom with just a single bite. With this amount of venom, it can kill up to 59 adult humans.
3. Indian Cobra
An Indian cobra with its hood up - Photo credit: https://i.ytimg.com
The Indian Cobra or spectacled cobra is responsible for 15,000 deaths per year and the most snakebites on humans in India. This species is a moderately venomous one, but their venom acts fast—as fast as 15 minutes, in fact.
The Indian Cobra’s venom is a neurotoxin and cardiotoxin wherein severe snake bites can cause respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. A single bite can deliver up to 250mg of venom, but the victim can be saved with immediate administration of antivenom and proper medical attention.
4. Russel’s Viper
Viper with a beautiful tiger-like print - Photo credit: http://www.reptilefact.com
This viper is an extremely aggressive snake that will not hesitate to attack when it is cornered or irritated. Aside from being one of the most venomous snakes, its bite is considered the most painful bite among all venomous snakes.
If you are bitten by a Russel’s Viper, you can experience internal bleeding, bruising, blistering, and necrosis (death of tissue); in some cases, even death. In India, the Russel’s Viper caused the most amount of human deaths totaling to about 25,000 deaths per year, making it one of the most dangerous and venomous snakes in the world.
5. King Cobra
The king cobra and its threatening stance. - Photo credit: https://media-ncd.cmgdigital.com
You’ve probably heard of the King Cobra. It is one of the most popular snakes because it is the longest venomous snake in the world. King Cobras are also known for spreading a threatening hood when they are in attack mode.
A King Cobra can inject up to 500mg of venom with a single bite, making it one of the most venomous of the snake species. Although King Cobras aren’t known to be very aggressive as are other snakes, their venomous bite can cause death of the victim at a rapid rate. Thus, if a person if bitten by a King Cobra and proper medical care is not given immediately, mortality is high.
6. Common Krait
An example of a common krait species - Photo credit: http://www.indianaturewatch.net
This snake species is called the common krait and it is known as the most dangerous species in India because of the powerful neurotoxins in its venom. When you are bitten by a common krait, the venom releases presynaptic and postsynaptic neurotoxins which cause muscle paralysis.
The bite of the Common Krait is often considered so dangerous because the administration of antivenom is often too late, as the onset of muscle paralysis is rapid. In India, the Common Krait causes about 10,000 deaths per year.
7. Saw-scaled Viper
The eyes of a saw-scaled viper - Photo credit: http://www.arkive.org
If you see a saw-scaled viper, it is best to put a whole lot of distance between it and you as much as possible. Why? Because the Saw-scaled viper has a temperamental behavior and has one of the most lethal venom potencies among the venomous snake species.
It is found in parts of Asia and Africa, but in India, it causes about 5,000 deaths per annum. The Saw-scaled viper’s bite is painful and delivers about 12mg of venom. Sounds like not a lot of venom, but as mentioned before, the viper’s venom is extremely potent. It would only take 5mg to kill a human being.
8. Eastern Brown Snake
Eastern brown snake with its tongue out - Photo credit: http://www.wildlifeqld.com.au/
Studies about the Eastern Brown Snake state that this species is the ranked as the second most venomous snake in the world. It can be found in Australia, and it is responsible for more than half of snakebite deaths in the country.
The venom of the Eastern Brown Snake contains neurotoxins and blood coagulants that can cause detrimental symptoms and death if not treated early. The Eastern Brown Snake is also known to be temperamental, so aggravating a snake of this species is the last thing you want to do.
9. Philippine Cobra
A colorful Philippine cobra - Photo credit: http://www.reptilefact.com
In the tropical islands of the Philippines, you can find the Philippine Cobra. This snake species is said to be the most venomous of the cobras with a bite containing an average of 90-100 mg of venom.
The venom of the Philippine Cobra contains neurotoxins that can cause respiratory paralysis. Apnea can assume as early as half an hour from the bite. If that doesn’t scare you enough, they can also spit their venom at their enemy at about 10 feet away.
10. Many-banded Krait
The many-banded krait gets its name from its print - Photo credit: http://atozanimals.net
Among the krait species, the Many-banded Krait is the most venomous. Its venom contains presynaptic neurotoxins as well as postsynaptic neurotoxins. With a single bite, it can deliver up to 11 mg of venom that can cause paralysis and in worst cases: death.
The Many-banded Krait can be found in Asia, where it causes death by respiratory failure particularly in Taiwan.
Conclusion
Snakes are magnificent creatures and they should be respected just like any other animal. But with the Top 10 Most Venomous Snakes in the World, you should do more than just respect it—it’s best to avoid it altogether to avoid the complications that a snake bite can cause.
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